Reunion - Michael Jan Friedman [76]
It was the real reason he was coming to see Asmund. Because he had to determine for himself if her immer-sion in Klingon ways had had any bearing on the murders she’d attempted. He had to know to what extent Asmund herself was responsible—and to what extent it was the fire in her blood.
One final turn of the corridor and the brig came into view. In accordance with Worf’s orders, there were two goldshirted security officers-Burke and Nevins—standing guard outside. Despite the fact that the facility’s force field had been activated. After all, Asmund had already proven her ingenuity in using shipboard technologies to her advantage. She might have had the foresight to tamper with the brig-just as she tampered with the holodeck and the food service system. It was a long shot, given the highly secure nature of the detention area-but why take chances? The security officers straightened at his approach. He acknowledged them with a nod. “At ease,” he said. Then, turning to Burke, who was the senior of the two, he asked: “Problems?” “None, Lieutenant. Commander Asmund hasn’t said a word for hours.” He paused. “Any luck with the other knife, sir?” Inside the detention cell, Asmund was sitting by herself, watching the conversation on the other side of the transparent energy barrier. She was looking at the Klingon in particular. Worf met her gaze for a moment, then turned back to Burke. “No,” he told the man. “No luck. At least, not yet.” “I guess it would be easier if were made of shrogh, or some other distinctly Klingon material.”
“Yes,” Worf agreed. “That would have made our search a good deal easier.”
But by the end of the sentence, he was no longer looking at Burke. Once again he was regarding the prisoner-who had stood up and was approaching the threshold of her cell.
“Careful, Commander,” Burke warned her-not out of compassion, but because it was his duty. “That barrier has a kick to it.” “I know,” said Asmund, addressing the human. “I am familiar with starship security facilities, thank you.” She turned her gaze on Worf. “Lieutenant, I would like to have a word with you.” Her eyes were hooded, her chin held high. All in all, a very Klingonlike posture.
“I am listening,” he responded. She shook her head. “Alone.” It came out sounding more like a demand than a request. If he hadn’t been so curious about her to begin with, he wouldn’t have given it a second thought.
But the idea of gaining insight into her motives was an alluring one. Too alluring for him to pass up.
“Sir,” Burke said as if he could read his superior’s thoughts, “the commander isn’t your typical prisoner. I wouldn’t advise it.” Asmund’s mouth twisted up at the corners. Worf read the scorn in the gesture, calculated to sting his Klingon pride. “Are you so frightened of me,” the blond woman asked, “that you dare not face me even across an energy barrier? Is that what it’s come to-Lieutenant?”
He knew what she was up to. He knew that she was taunting him for a reason. But try as he might, he couldn’t believe she was in a position to harm him. Even if she somehow managed to remove the barrier, she was unarmed-and he had his phaser.
“Leave us,” Worf told his security people, never taking his eyes from Asmund’s.
“But Lieutenant—” began Burke.
“Leave us,” repeated the security chief-this time a little more forcefully.
Burke and Nevins had no choice but to comply. With obvious reluctance, they withdrew down the corridor until they disappeared around the bend.
“Ail right,” Worf told the prisoner. “We are alone.” Asmund nodded. “Thank you.” Her gaze seemed to soften a bit. “You didn’t have to do this.”
It caught him off guard. Up until then, her attitude had been haughty—dancing on the edge of arrogance. Suddenly, there was a touch of weakness in her. A sense of vulnerability no true Klingon would have permitted himself. Was it an attempt to lull his suspicions? If so, he resolved, it wouldn’t work. “Agreed,” he told her. “I did not have to